Victorious Tsitsipas revels in return to winners’ circle: “I needed a week like that”

A jubilant Stefanos Tsitsipas couldn’t hide his relief after he won his third Monte-Carlo title with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Casper Ruud on Sunday.

The Greek arrived in the Principality struggling for form, having made only one semi-final beforehand, battling for rhythm. One week on, with a win over Jannik Sinner in the semis and Ruud in the final, he’s back on song and back in form.

“I did need a week like this a lot, especially the rough months that I have been through the last half of 2023 until now,” he said, having won his 11th Tour title, but his first since Los Cabos last summer.

“It hasn’t been the best of times in terms of where I wanted to be, so getting back here and winning the title is something that I was definitely not aiming for and it came naturally.”

Best level of any of his three Monte-Carlo titles

From the moment he arrived in Monte-Carlo, Tsitsipas cut a more confident figure, immediately playing more aggressively and with a joy. His third Monte-Carlo title, he said, was the best of all.

“Winning this tournament three times is something I would have never imagined,” he said. “Even when I first got it the first time, I obviously thought it was a great feeling and that place is special towards me. But getting the Holy Trinity, as I call it, is something that I will fully cherish it and take the most out of this moment (smiling).”

And the Greek said he felt his tennis this past week was better than when he won the title in 2021 and 2022.

“If I have to compare my level of tennis with the last two times that I have won here, I would probably say this time has been the best that I have come up with some incredible tennis,” he said.

“I had an opponent in the semi-final that is a world-class tennis player right now who refused to lose to anyone, and he’s been on a very good streak. So overcoming that obstacle, it’s definitely a sign that my tennis is progressing and I’m able to push those players.”

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